Brenda D.

About Me

I’m a wife, mother of four wonderful children and a Physical Therapist. I share a management position with my good friend and job-share partner at a local hospital. I am blessed to be able to work a few days a week outside of my home and then enjoy long stretches of home time. God and my family are first in my life. Tied for a busy second place are official chauffeur to four involved children, avid Jeff Galloway runner, “Downton Abbey” and “Survivor” fan, Disney vacation planner extraordinaire and baker of the best bread in Missouri.

About My Family

I met my husband at Mizzou and married my college sweetheart nearly 17 years ago (collective: Awwww!). We are busy raising our four children and sometimes we even get to see each other. My husband is a Nurse Practitioner and works in sleep medicine at another hospital. He is my Prince Charming, my love and my best friend. Our oldest daughter is 14 years old and is a basketball player as well as an amazingly creative writer. She has the sweetest spirit of anyone I’ve ever met, yet at the same time can make me spit out my coffee with her satirical texts (while she’s supposed to be paying attention in school). Did I say she was exceptionally smart too? Our next child is an 11-year-old mancub. He is the perfect balance of Boy Scout, bookworm and Jedi Knight. He creates screenplays in his mind and then re-enacts them for us with lavish detail, usually using his little brother as a prop. His stories end with the Jedi conquering evil... for now. Our youngest daughter is 9 years old. Nine years of red-headed sassiness. She has a huge heart and an uncanny ability to find any orphaned animal within five miles. This spring while we were in Epcot she caught two lizards while walking to Mission Space. Two. Lizards! I played the Evil Queen card and would not let them come back home in her suitcase. Our youngest son is 4 years old. He loves wrestling with his big brother and is constantly asking when we are going back to the "Mickey Boat."

About My Disney Experience

My first visit to Walt Disney World was a lavish honeymoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Thanks Nannie and Poppie!). One of my first Disney memories is how I sprained my ankle on the first night of my honeymoon (tip: Do not run in the dark looking up for Tinker Bell flying from Cinderella Castle). I was in a wheelchair the rest of the week, but still had an amazing time, because it's Disney World! It was during this time - when my honeymoon could have been ruined - I realized how special this place was because we made so many magical memories together. Since our honeymoon, we've visited countless times with the varying stages of a growing family. I grew up with a large, close family and my fondest memories are the vacations that my Mom and Dad would take with us. I want to model that with my own children. I believe that vacations are an investment in your family. It's my goal for everybody visiting Walt Disney World to have the same heart bursting love that I do when they are gathered in front of Cinderella Castle with their loved ones watching the "Wishes" fireworks spectacular!

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Disneyland® Resort or Disney Vacation Club® vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.